The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-11
FATHER PLAYS BASEBALL
W. ]. II. in New York Times

and white flannel. The umpire's costume
was OF white flannel, trimmed with blue,
cut without any bias, as an umpire's cos
tune should be, aud altogether about as
neat thing as ever was seen on the ball
field. The umpire's eyes were as blue as
the sunny skies of Italy, and there was a
pair of peachy pink cheeks under the eyes
and delicale little nose, piquantly celes-
tial in its inclination; strawberry lips, and
teeth whittier than the cover of brand new
ball. And there wasn't man in the game
who would have disputed the umpire's de-
cision for any honor known to the glorious
national pastime. There wasn't one of
them who wasn't glad to get out Just to
hear the delicious ripple of that musical
voice as said:
"Striker out"
And why was all this? Sir Walter Scott
remarked in "Kenilworht:" "All for little
pink and white-and so falls ambition"
The umpire's name was Eulalie, and what
Eulalie did not know about the League
rules was what had not been written. The
boys-they were college boys and called
themselves men, striving by frequent use
of the razor to make good their claim to
the lordly title-the boys all swore by her.
And even when Just few of them went
out for a practice game of lone, two,
three" they would have their little umpire
out TO see the thing done properly. Once
Harry had sent in hot out curve and hit
the umpire, and the young pitcher came
pretty near being mobbed right then and
there. But the umpire calmly stopped,
picked up the ball, and threw it back to
the pitcher saying;
zone ball.
And then the boys all cheered the um-
pire and vowed that she was as plucky as
she was beautiful, and they would all have
fallen down and worshiped her immedi-
ately had they not known that she could
he II ~ 20 !, =
she was pIucky. Pretty soon Father came
out in his comfortable white hannels, and,
lying down in the shade, watched the game.
Father was q me specimen of manhood,
and though he was in his fftieth year he
could play q fine game OF tennis, kill
twenty. eight out of thirty birds at the trap
every day, and chase the wild anise-seed
bag over the stiffest country known to the
Dusenbury County hunt.
81 say, you boys" called Father, whist
kind of game is this you're playing?"
Baseball, of course" replied Johnny,
with an indescribable sneer at his sire's ig-
norance.
Johnny was only fourteen and he knew
it all. He was sure he could pitch better
than Harry, who was twenty and on the
Varsity nine, and catch all around George,
who was nineteen, freshman, and one of
the best all around players in college.
Baseball, Ell" said Father. "Well,
you don't play it as We used to twenty-five
years ago."
well, I should hope not" was the
reply.
''Say, Pop" called frankie, who was
standing like patience on monument on
irst-base, why don't you pull of your
coat and take hack at it,"
You irreverent young beggar," re-
sponded Pop" half laughing, "Tn come
over there and take hack at you
'No, no." was the general chorus; come
and play"
Come, Father" said the umpire, ''now's
your time to show these boys what a man
knows about baseball
The covert taunt of the beautiful wretch
was too much for Father. He arose and
pulled of his coat, displaying a superb
torso that his loose flannel shirt could not
hide he strobe into the field.
Here, Pop" cried Albert, take my
place at Short and then you'll soon get up
to pitcher"
Father accepted the generous offer and
braced himself TO gather in the hayward
gTounder. Peter was at the bat and he
gazed upon Father with an evil eye. Harry
sent in a 'corker" and Peter got one
stroke.
'sWhat makes you pitch so hard, Harry"
said Father; ''he can't hit it."
"Don't want him to, said Harry; what
do you suppose Pm pitching for but to get
him out?"
"Oh, he must hit it." said Father, i'm
patiently; "thats no way to play. Why,
remember when the Skowhegans beat the
you-none of your to 0 business in those
days."
See here, Father" asked Johnny, "when
the men chased one another around the
bases that way how could you tell the
difference between game of ball and
six-dsys' go-as-you-please?"
The roar of laughter silenced Father, who
contented himself with shaking his list at
Johnny. Just then Peter got one right
where he wanted il and he hit a grounder
to Father. The veteran stopped down and
gathered it in in great shape, while the
boys cheered and applauded.
Now we've got HIM, Pop Let her come
hot" screamed frankie, dancing a wild
can-can on first.
But Father had his eye on Peter, who was
running toward first, and with all the ac-
curacy of a crack wing shot he let the ball
drive and caught the unhappy Peter on the
small ribs Just as he was nearing the
base. The general clamor which followed
astOUnded Father.
What are you doing2 Who are you hit
Eng2 What sort of a way IS that?'
mot out" shouted the umpire's siIvery
voice, as Peter sat down on first base
and searched the heavens for his lost
breath.
mot out? What do you mean" said
Father. The situation was explained to
him, and the nature of the new rule made
plain to him. Father was disappointed.
He wanted to hit some one. That was the
way he used to play. But he resigned him
self to his fate. The game proceeded, and
Father soon found himself on first base,
while the irTeverent Johnny was at short.
Then the batsman hit to Johnny and that
nimble youth "scooped in" the ball and
hurled it to first. But Father had by this
time rambled back into the past and was
expecting to see Johnny 'peg' the man
running to first. The result was that the
ball struck Father fairly Just above the
belt and doubled him up like two foot
rule.
Johnny looked rather white, while the
umpire rushed to first base with great
huttering of white fiannels, and kneeling
beside her PROSTATE sire, muttered:
"Are You hurt, papa darlingP'
Father sat up and rubbed his eyes,
gasped few times, and then said:
.'see here, thought it was against the
rules to hit man."
There was another series of explanations
and then the game went on. And then
some one hit high foul to father. He
danced merrily out and got well under the
ball, and the boys all got ready to yell
t'good catch.n But it didn't work. The
ball hit father on the end of his finger, and,
going night through his hands, landed on